Oil burner



March 21, 1939.

R. A CAMPBELL OIL BURNER Filed Sept. 1, 1936 Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to an oil burner of a type used for installation in domestic heating furnaces, kitchen stoves or in larger types of oil burners in which the combustion is initiated by igniting oil in a pan or the like in which case the ignited oil heats the other parts of the appliances such as an oil vaporizer or gasifier.

An object and feature of my invention in an oil burner of this type is providing an oil receiving pan for ignition oil arranged in the form of a balance scale, this scale being connected with a control valve so that should the pan receive too much oil the valve will be automatically closed and then opened as the oil is consumed from the pan, thus increasing the oil supply as the oil in the vaporizer or gasifying portion of the device is consumed. This balance pan also functions and operates to receive any surplus oil which is not properly gasified or does not ignite and by action of the balance control the supply valve to restrict the feed of oil until such oil in the pan is consumed and then to gradually increase the opening of the valve.

Another feature of my invention is associating an oil vaporizer or gasifier with the pan for ignition oil in such a manner that this gas generator is adequately heated by the ignition oil and also arranged whereby when the fuel is properly ignited that this generator is maintained in a hot condition therefore continuously vaporizing and gassifying the oil. Another detail feature of the gas generator is constructing this in a unit with devious passages preferably up and down with cross connections arranged between relatively thin plates so that a large surface or area is developed for pre-heating of the fuel.

Another object and feature of my invention is in employing an air flue associated with the generator and positioned whereby the air to support combustion is also heated by the ignition fuel in the pan and also by the flame from the ignited oil. This supplies heated air at the place of mixing with the oil or the gas or vapors from the oil. Another detail characteristic of the air flue is in arranging this as a hood over the top of the gas generator and having a downward discharge forming a mixing chamber with the fuel and a discharge orifice directing the flame or the mixed air and gas downwardly on to the weighing pan. This maintains one portion of the pan in a hot condition so that any oil dripping into the pan becomes ignited.

Another object and feature of my invention in regard to the assembly is in mounting this on a tray in which certain vertical fins or partitions of the generator are formed integral with the floor of the tray. Complementary fins or partl tions extend downwardly from the roof of the generator and the whole generator is covered by a wide air flue, this being connected to an opening in the floor of the tray so that the combustion air is drawn upwardly from below the floor. Another feature is in balancing the scale pan on the tray well within the rim of such tray whereby should any oil overflow the pan it will be caught in the tray and may be ignited or consumed from this tray.

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line ll of Figures 2 or 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a reduced plan taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Figure 1.

In my invention I utilize a rectangular shallow tray II which has a fiat floor l2 and a peripheral rim l3, there being a notch l4 adjacent the margin of the floor at one end. This floorhas a rectangular opening IS with a secondary rim l6 surrounding such opening. The gas generator designated by the assembly numeral 20 is formed with a thick vertical end wall 2| extending upwardly from the floor, a front relatively thin wall 22 having a greater length than the thick wall 2| and two marginal walls 23, these diverging from the thick wall 2|. There are also intermediate vertical partitions or fins indicated at 24 and 25. These elements are all preferably formed integral with the floor l2 of the tray. The thick wall 2| has a central oil duct 26 threaded at its lower end 21 and with a notch forming an oil passage 28 at the top. The generator is provided with a secondary or complementary structure 30 which has a roof or cap plate 3i. This is shaped to conform to the outline of the walls 2 I, 22 and 23, thus having a rear edge 32 in alignment with the outside face of the thick wall 2| and a front edge 33 in alignment with the outside face of the opposite end wall 22. Extending downwardly from this roof or cap plate there are a plurality of fins or intermediate partitions indicated at 34, 35 and 36. These have beveled side edges to conform to the outward diverging walls 23. The intermediate partitions or fins connected to the tray and those connected to the cap are spaced apart forming a series of vertical passages 31 with lower connecting passages 38 adjacent the floor of the tray and upper connecting passages 39 adjacent the roof or cap member 3|. The front wall 22 is provided with a projecting nose member 40 having a downward slope 4|, there being a horizontal passage 42 between the top of this nose and the front end of the cap adjacent its edge 33. It will be noted that these zig-zag passages in the generator are quite narrow considered longitudinally of the burner,'but have considerable width transversely and increase in width from the inlet duct 26 to the outlet at 42 adjacent the nose! of the mixer.

An air flue structure 45 has an upward passage 46 defined by the vertical rectangular walls 41, the lower end of which flt in the opening l5 of the floor of the tray. A lower end 48 fits in opening l5 of the floor ofthe tray. Ahorizontal section 49 of the flue passage extends horizontally over the cap 3| in which the horizontal under wall 50 is slightly spaced from the top of the cap as indicated at 5|. The flue then has a downwardly extending mixing chamber 52 in which the inner wall 53 is provided with an opening 54 through which projects a portion of the nose 40' on the end wall 22, there being a slight clearance for this nose in the opening. The outside wall 55 extends well below the nose so that the orifice 56 is normally defined by the lower edge 51. This has a bevel 58 at the lower part of the outer wall 55 and a bevel 59 at the lower part of the inner wall 53. The edge walls are flared outwardly as indicated at 60 (note Figure 3). It will be noted by reference to Figures 2 and 3 that the air flue structure 45 is\ much wider than the narrow end. portion at the thick wall 2| of the gas generator and the edge walls 60 are parallel except for the outward flow at the ends, that is, at the downwardly extending portion which forms a mixing chamber.

The balance scale designated by the assembly numeral 65 has a sloping floor 66 rectangular as to its peripheral outline. At the rear end there is a relatively high rim 6'! extending upwardly from. which there are marginal rims 88 extending to the upper corner or outer edge 69. These rims thus decrease in heighth from the back to the front. The floor has a large opening indicated at 10 and defined by the rear upwardly extending rim 1|, the front upwardly extending rim 12 and the marginal rims 13. These rims thus taper, that is, decrease in heighth as the upper edge of all of the rims indicated at 13 and the edge 69 are in a plane. By this construction it will be noted that'the opening 10 entirely surrounds the gas generator and the structure forming the air flue, these thus extending upwardly through the floor of the balance scale. In order to give this scale adequate strength there is a downwardly extending rim 14 at the front extending downwardly from the front edge 69 and marginal rims 15, these decreasing in heighth extending to the rear edge terminated by the upwardly extending rim 1|. The balance scale pan B5 is fulcrumed on trunnions 16 connected to the rim l3 of the tray II, the lower marginal rim] 15 preferably being notched.

The fuel supply connections designated by the assembly numeral include a supply line 8| having a manually operated valve 82, an automatically operated valve 83, from which a coupling pipe 84 and having an elbow 85, leads to the oil duct 26, the elbow being connected to the threads 21. The valve 83 is illustrated as having a rocking spindle 86 with a lever arm 81 attached thereto. A vertical link 88 extends upwardly above the tray being accommodated in the notch l4 and has its upper end pivotally connected at 89 to the rear high rim 61 of the balance scale pan.

The manner of operating and functioning of my invention is substantially as follows: In starting the burner the scale balance pan is so balanced and. adjusted that the valve 83 is normally retained open. Oil may either be poured in this pan manually or on opening the valve 82 oil flows upwardly through the oil duct 26 and the zig-zag passages in the gas generator, being discharged at the outlet 42, dropping into the scale pan. Such oil may then be ignited and if there is a suflicient amount in this pan it flows towards the low end, that is, the end adjacent the rear rim 6! balancing the pan and causing the deep end to move downwardly whence through the action of the link 88 and the arm 8! the valve 83 is either closed or partially closed. As the oil is consumed in the pan such pan resumes its equal balance and by this time the oil in the gas generator has become heated. All of the metal parts of the generator and the air flue structure are also heated, causing oil vapors or gas from the oil to be discharged from the outlet 42 where the fuel becomes mixed with the air in the downwardly extending mixing chamber 52. This develops a combustible mixture which is ignited either by the flame in the pan or by the hot walls of the mixing chamber or the upper end of the pan. This combustible mixture either as a mixture or a flame, is discharged from the orifice 56. The flame thus blows somewhat horizontally over and beyond the outer end of the scale pan. The operation is then continuous. The scale pan and all of the metal parts surrounding the gas generator and the air flue structure are maintained at a suflicient temperature to heat the fuel as well as the air. If for any reason unconsumed oil flows downwardly over the nose 40, it drops into the pan and becomes ignited. If too much oil accumulates, the pan tilts, shutting ofi the control valve 83.

When the valve is adjusted and the device operated, the action is automatic for the oil in the generator is gasified and discharges at the outlet 42 as gas. This is mixed with the air at the mixing chamber portion 52 and the inflammable mixture becomes ignited either from the burning oil in the pan or the heated portion 66 of the pan. The flame is directed against the high end of the sloping floor of the pan and maintains this always in a hot condition. Hence should any circumstances arise through an overfeed of the oil or improper gasification and oil be discharged from the outlet 42 onto such pan, a normal amount of oil will be ignited and consumed.

However if there should be a surplus amount, this will flow to the low side of the pan causing its tilting and a closure or partial closure of the valve 83, thus stopping or restricting the feed of oil. However the oil in the pan being ignited continues to burn even if the flow of gas ceases and the gas flame is extinguished, the heat from the pan again re-heating the generator until a flow of gas is again developed and as the oil in the pan is consumed it returns to its normal position opening the valve 83 for a continuing operation of the burner. The gas now discharged becomes ignited either from the burning oil in the pan or the hot end of the pan.

Various changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention'as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An oil burner comprising in combination a tray, a pan pivotally mounted on the tray and having an opening, a gas generator structure mounted on the tray and extending through the said opening of the pan and having a devious passage for the flow of oil from an inlet to an outlet orifice, an oil supply pipe connected to the inlet, said pipe having a valve therein, a connection from the valve to the pan whereby oil depositing in the pan unbalances said pan and actuates the valve to control the flow of oil.

2. An oil burner as claimed in claim 1, the tray'having an opening adjacent the gas generator, an air flue structure connected to the tray at the opening thereof and extending upwardly through the opening in the pan, said air flue structure having a portion extending over the top of the gas generator and another portion extending downwardly past the orifice and forming a mixing chamber adjacent the orifice, the said latter part of the air flue structure being adapted to direct oil from the orifice to a portion of the pan.

3. An oil burner comprising in combination a tray, a gas generator mounted thereon, said generator having a plurality of flat fins spaced apart longitudinally and at their alternate upper and lower ends providing a devious passage for oil or oil vapors, an inlet connection for oil at one end of the passage and an outlet orifice at the other end, an oil supply pipe connected to the said inlet and having a control valve, a pan pivotally mounted on the tray and having a sloping floor with an opening, the said generator extending upwardly through the said opening, the high portion of the floor being positioned to receive oil from the orifice whereby the oil may flow to the low point of the pan to cause the unbalancing thereof and a connection from the pan to the valve to control the valve on the tilting of the pan.

4. An oil burner as claimed in claim 3, the pan having an opening, an air flue structure having a first upward passage connected to the tray at the opening and extending upwardly through the opening in the pan, the said air flue having a horizontal section extending over the top of the generator and a downwardly extending portion forming a mixing chamber adjacent the orifice, the air flue having an opening directed downwardly towards the pan whereby the ignited fuel develops a flame directed towards the pan and thereby heats the pan.

5. An oil burner comprising in combination a fixed structure having an oil supply connection with a valve, a gas generator having a path for oil and an orifice for discharge of the oil, a pan pivotally mounted on such fixed structure and having a floor to receive oil from the orifice, said floor sloping with a high portion on one side of the pivot, the pan on receiving excess oil being mounted to overbalance and operate the said valve to control the flow of oil, a structure forming an air flue connected to the fixed structure, having a portion extending over the top of the generator and another portion extending downwardly past the said orifice towards the high portion of the floor of the pan and forming adjacent the orifice a mixing chamber for mixing the fuel and the air.

6. An oil burner having in combination an oil supply connection with a valve, a gas generator, a connection'fromthe valve to the generator,

a discharge orifice for the generator, a pan to receive oil from the orifice, said pan being balanced and having a connection to the valve whereby when the pan holds a surplus amount i of oil it overbalances and controls the valve, the pan being positioned adjacent the generator whereby ignited oil in the pan heats the generator to develop gas in the generator and when the oil in the pan becomes consumed the panresumes its original position and opens the valve for again discharging oil, the heated generator being adapted to gasiiy and cause the ignition of the oil.

7. An oil burner comprising in combination a- '='15 fixed structure having a gas generator mounted therein with a supply oil connection with a valve, the generator having a devious path for oil and a discharge orifice, an air supply means positioned adjacent the gas generator and positioned to develop a flow of air past the orifice, a pivotally mounted pan positioned contiguous to the generator and to the air supply means, a valve actuating means connected from the pan to the valve, the pan being adapted to hold and retain i oil which on ignition heats the generator and the air supply means, the pan when containing a surplus amount of oil being adapted to close or partly close the valve, and when the oil in the pan is consumed, being adapted to open the valve for a flow of oil through the generator.

8. An oil burner as claimed in claim '7, the pan having one side positioned below the orifice and in alignment with the flame formed by the gas and air whereby such part of the pan becomes highly heated, such part of the pan being positioned to receive oil discharged from the orifice and thus adapted to ignite such oil on a hot part of the pan.

9. An oil burner comprising in combination a 40 fixed structure having a gas generator mounted therein, said generator having a devious path for oil with a discharge orifice, a supply duct for oil connected to one end of the devious path of the generator and provided with a control valve, a pivotally mounted pan having a sloping floor, an air flue structure positioned adjacent the generator and having a mixing chamber section to flow air past the said orifice for the mixing of gas and air and provided with an outlet for the flame directed towards a high side of the sloping floor of the pan, an operative connection from the pan to the valve for controlling the valve by the position of the pan, the pan having means to contain oil which on ignition heats the gas generator and the air flue structure and when containing an excess amount of oil the pan being adapted to tilt and close or partially close the valve, the pan on return to normal position being adapted to open the valve for the flow of oil through the generator, the heated generator being adapted to gasify the oil to ignite with the air in the said mim'ng chamber and discharge a flame on the high part of the floor of the pan to maintain such portion in a hot condition for the ignition of surplus oil discharged from the orifice of the gas generator.

10. An oil burner as claimed in claim 9, the pan being positioned above the fixed structure and having an opening therein with the gas generator andthe air flue structure extending upwardly through said opening, the pan having a rim surrounding the said opening, said pan having a low side of the floor positioned remote from the orifice of the gas generator and the mixing chamber of the air flue structure.

11. An oil burner comprising in combination a fixed shallow tray-like structure having a gas generator mounted on its upper side, said generator having a zig-zag path with a series of vertical passages and with an inlet opening for oil at one end of the path and an outlet for gas at the remote end of the path, an oil pipe connected below the tray at the oil inlet and the said outlet being positioned a considerable distance above the tray, an air flue structure connected to the tray and having an opening adjacent the oil inlet side of the generator and extending upwardly and over the top of the gas generator and provided with a downwardly extending portion forming a mixing chamber adjacent the outlet of the generator with a discharge end to direct a flame downwardly, a shallow pan pivotally mounted on the tray on fulcrums substantially in alignment with the gas generator, the pan having a sloping floor and provided with an opening through which the generator and the air flue structure extend upwardly, the pan being provided with a rim at said opening and having the high side of the floor adjacent the discharge end of the air flue and the low side of the floor remote therefrom, a valve in the oil supply pipe and a connection from the valve to the pan, the gas generator and air flue structure being positioned contiguous to the pan whereby ignited oil in the pan heats the generator and air flue structure and causes ignition of the flame from the mixing chamber and such flame being adapted to heat the high side of the pan whereby a drip of oil from the outlet of the gen--' erator becomes ignited on the pan, a surplus amount of oil on the pan being adapted to'flow to the low side and cause a tilting of the pan to restrict the opening of the valve until such oil has been consumed, the pan then resuming its original position with the valve open for flow of oil through the generator.

12. An oil burner having in combination a fixed structure with a gas generator connected thereto, said generator having an inlet at one end for oil and an outlet for gas, a supply duct connected to the said inlet and having a control valve therein, a movable pan positioned adjacent the generator and having an operating connection to the valve, means to direct a flame from gas flowing from the outlet of the generator onto part of the pan to heat such pan, such part of the pan being positioned relative to the said outlet of the generator to receive any oil discharged from the outlet of the generator whereby oil burning in the pan is operative to heat the generator but excess oil in the pan being adapted to move such pan to close or partially close the valve and on the complete combustion of oil in the pan, said pan being adapted to return to its original position and open the valve for the discharge of oil to the said generator inlet, the gas from the generator outlet being adapted to become ignited adjacent the heated part of the pan.

R. A. CAlWPBELL. 

